We are living through unprecedented times. The Coronavirus crisis has taken a huge toll on the economy and on our physical and mental wellbeing.

Throughout this crisis the Labour councillors running Ipswich Borough Council have been working hard to protect our town. We have kept existing essential services going such bin collections and benefits payments, as well as providing completely new services from scratch such as “Home, But Not Alone”.

We have worked with local businesses to provide them with help and support during lockdown and to re-open safely.

Despite the Government breaking its promises to provide compensation for the financial effects of the virus, the Council is still managing to invest in improvements to our town. We are building new council houses to provide affordable homes for Ipswich people and working to bring new jobs to the town.

We know this is tough for everyone – your Labour councillors promise to work day and night to help Ipswich respond and recover from the effects of the virus.

COVID Crisis – How Labour responded in Ipswich

The first Coronavirus lockdown caused a huge amount of disruption to lives and businesses in Ipswich. Throughout it all Labour-run Ipswich Borough Council was working hard to keep services going and to provide help and support to the people who needed it.

Here’s some examples of the work of the Council during the first six months of the crisis:

• Maintained essential services such as bin collections and benefits payments
• Administered national schemes to give grants and business rates holidays to local businesses and council tax discounts to people on low incomes
• Allocated over £1.2m to local businesses which weren’t eligible for help under the Government’s national scheme
• Provided a rent holiday for charities and voluntary organisations renting property from the Council
• Offered shelter and support for everyone sleeping rough in Ipswich
• Ran Ipswich’s local “Home But Not Alone” service providing help and support for vulnerable people not covered by the Government’s shielding programme
• Worked with local businesses to safely re-open the town centre after lockdown
• Provided a lifeline for many by keeping parks open throughout lockdown and putting on more patrols to keep people safe

We’re not out of the woods yet, but Labour-run Ipswich Borough Council will continue working for you.